San Diego @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2012 ) Arizona 2, San Diego 8

The San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks aren’t likely to earn the second National League wild card spot, but they’re not giving up yet. The Diamondbacks enter the series four games behind the Cardinals in the race for the second wild card, while the Padres are six games back after going 51-35 since June 12. Both teams will need some luck to make a serious run since Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia all stand between them and St. Louis. The Padres are 10-5 against the Diamondbacks this season while winning seven straight games at Chase Field. San Diego is seeking its fifth straight series victory after beating Colorado 12-11 on Sunday.

Center fielder Chris Young (quadriceps) could return to the Diamondbacks’ starting lineup in the series opener for the first time since injuring his right quad Sept. 3. In his absence, rookie Adam Eaton has made a strong first impression by hitting .275 with five RBIs and eight runs. Infielder Willie Bloomquist
(lower back tightness) is unlikely to return this week, and might be out for the season. In San Diego, third baseman Chase Headley has already set career highs in home runs, RBIs, runs scored and walks this season. Headley has been unstoppable since the All-Star break while hitting .306 (72-for-235) with six doubles, 20 home runs, 62 RBIs and 45 runs scored.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Eric Stults (6-2, 2.54 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (13-11, 4.21)

Stults is 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA in two starts against the Diamondbacks this season, including his Aug. 24 outing when he threw seven scoreless innings in Phoenix. He is 3-1 with a 1.86 ERA in nine road games (five starts) this season. Since rejoining the rotation on Aug. 6, Stults is 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA in seven starts.

Kennedy is 6-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 career starts against the Padres, but he is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three starts this season. He gave up six runs in 5 1/3 innings against San Diego on Aug. 25. Kennedy enters the game on a hot streak after going 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in his last three starts. He’s 4-1 with 4.06 ERA in his last seven home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego CF Cameron Maybin has hit .398 (37-for-93) with nine RBIs and 16 runs scored in 25 games since Aug. 19.

2. Arizona closer J.J. Putz has made 18 consecutive scoreless appearances against San Diego and is 14-for-14 in save opportunities during that span.

3. Padres RHP Jason Marquis (hand) threw a simulated game over the weekend, but remains unlikely to return this season.